Jim McElwain confirms ex-Gators QB Treon Harris is now playing WR

Treon Harris #3 of the Florida Gators attempts a pass during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 28, 2015 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Former Florida starting quarterback Treon Harris has indeed made the move to wide receiver.

“You’ve got to look at the fit,” McElwain said. “Nothing he did. Guys around him didn’t play great either. So I’ll never put that on a player.”

Florida jumped out to a 6-0 start in 2015, but finished the season 4-4 with Treon Harris under center following the suspension of starter Will Grier. Grier transferred to West Virginia after the season.

It was reported in February that Harris would move to wide receiver this year after struggling in McElwain’s offense. Harris was allowed to return to campus last month for team workouts and classes, but hasn’t been fully reinstated from his January suspension for a student code of conduct violation.

Harris missed all of spring football as the Gators went through practice with four new players at quarterback.

“Everybody has freedom, he doesn’t have to stay there,” McElwain said when asked how Harris handled switching positions. “But at the end of the day, look, we’re in this not here to hurt anybody’s feelings. But at the same time, it is what it is and we’ve got four guys who I’m really proud of. The room is really good and I’m excited about it.”

Zach Abolverdi is the Florida beat writer for SEC Country and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

About the Author

Anthony Chiang began his writing career in Gainesville at the University of Florida’s student-run newspaper. At The Independent Florida Alligator, he covered the school’s golf, volleyball, baseball, and football teams. The Miami native has also written for the Sun Sentinel and MLB.com, following the Tampa Bay Rays.